BANGALORE, India: AB de Villiers (90, 39 balls, 10 four, 5 six) put up another blockbuster performance to lead Royal Challengers Bangalore to a six-wicket victory with exactly two overs to spare against Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League last night.
Chasing a stiff 175 for victory, De Villiers stayed unbeaten to ensure the hosts crossed the line for a crucial victory. Captain Virat Kohli made 30 *26 balls, 2 four, 1 six).
Earlier, Shreyas Iyer (52, 31 balls, 4 four, 3 six) and Rishabh Pant (85, 48 balls, 6 four, 7 six) were the main scorers as Delhi post 174 for five.
Earlier, Kings XI Punjab went top of the table following a nine-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in a rain-affected match.
Chasing 192, Chris Gayle (62*) and KL Rahul (60) had taken KXIP to 96 for no loss in just 8.2 overs when rain interrupted proceedings. At that stage Punjab were well ahead of the DLS par score of 65.
Delay
After a lengthy delay lasting over one-and-a-half hour, the play finally resumed with Punjab set a revised target of 125 to win from 13 overs.
Punjab thus needed just 29 runs off 28 deliveries. Gayle and Rahul wiped off the arrears with ease, scoring quickfire half-centuries each.
Gayle hit for a monstrous six after resumption for his third successive 50-plus score of the season and Rahul followed with a six of his own. He was eager to finish the match in a blink when a mistimed pull saw him being caught for 60 (27b).
Earlier, KKR rode on Chris Lynn’s 41-ball 74 to post a challenging total.
The Queenslander took time to settle down against the spinners and plundered the quicks, smashing six fours and four sixes in his first half-century of the season.
Kings XI Punjab 126-1 (Gayle 62*, Rahul 60) bt Kolkata Knight Riders 191-7 (Lynn 74, Karthik 43; Tye 2-30) by 9 wickets (DLS method)
TODAY’S MATCHES
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Chennai Super Kings
(Starting 1.30pm)
Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians
(Starting 5.30pm)